My Story: 365 day blog challenge Day 80 Worst Advice Ever!

The worst advice I’ve ever received? That’s an easy one. I’ve been advised by more than one person to be grateful that I was never able to have children. It’s sometimes baffling to me to think that people would actually advice someone that was never able to have children that instead of being sad about it, they should embrace it and be grateful.

The interesting thing is that the people that have said this to me are all parents. I know deep down it is probably said during a difficult parenting day because there are very few parents in this world that would actually say they wished they never had children. I’m sure it’s said out of frustration or tiredness, but it is still crazy to me that anyone would think this is good advice to give an infertile person.

Being in a minority of childless people, it is tough sometimes when people say things that are clearly inappropriate. How do you even respond to that? Do you smile and say, “yes, that’s great advice. I’m so thankful I don’t have one of those!”. Or do you call them on it and question if they realize what they are actually saying? Do they seriously think I should be grateful that I never was able to become a mother? Do they wish that for themselves? Highly doubtful.

There are so many dysfunctionalities when you live the life of a childless person. So many stereotypes you have to conquer and so many stupid comments you have to learn to not take to heart. I wish I could say it gets easier over time, but it really doesn’t. You learn better ways of dealing with it, but it’s definitely not any easier.